Merciful Conquerors v Mighty Strikers

 

Two of the most destructive line ups on paper engaged in an intense encounter, as the Strikers really couldn’t afford many let ups. The toss was won by the MC and they elected to bat first.

 

The Strikers struck an early, massive blow by removing Safwan cheaply for 4 runs. Rehan Mansoor was back into his new ball groove with the wicket. But reasonable and smart contributions by Farhan, Waqas and Mudassar with the bat helped pushed the score to a good foundation of 95 runs off 60 balls. The lower order for the MC couldn’t quite capitalise as no one threatened with a strong finishing touch, and Rehan completed his quota with the ball with impressive figures of 3-24. The MC hobbled their way to a total of 141-9. A middling yet competitive score considering the recent woes of the Strikers.

 

It just wasn’t going to plan for the MS as the top 3 couldn’t kick off after all getting a start. Usman Tahir dealt the chasing side a massive blow with the key wicket of Harawal with the score at 46-2 in 42 balls.a lot depended on Ali Raza to blast his team into a commanding position, and the threat was definitely on as Ali raced to 25 off 13, but Hameed put a halt to this charge and the MC were back on top with the score at 76-5 in 67 balls. There was too much left to do for guys like Usama and Muhayuddin who required close to 2 runs per ball from the get go, and although Usama did play a respectable hand with 39 off 24, it was all too late as the Strikers eventually fell 10 runs short of the finish line. 

 

The Conquerors with this win are in a comfortable position and on their way to make amends from last year with a top 4 qualification with 3 wins now out of 4. As for the Strikers, they really have not been able to make the most of their heavy resources so far. With only 1 win out of 5, they have been pushed into a corner from which the only way out is to fight, and fight hard!